Agilagila ,Former Caretaker Chairman Owo LGA Hosts IJebu 2 Ward 5 Executive Committee, Pledges Total Loyalty To The PDP
Reported: Abejoye
8th February ,2022
At his Okay Traders' Cocoa Store and also the warehouse for Noodles and pasta at Ijebu this Tuesday's evening, the PDP Chairman of Ijebu 2 Ward 5 ,Hon. (Prince) Mumuni Ojomo-led Executive Committee held a crucial meeting with the erstwhile Chairman of PDP, Owo Local Chapter and former Caretaker Chairman of Owo Local Government Council, Alhaji Kehinde Lawal Agilagila to smoothen relationship among the leaders and the key party stakeholders in Ijebu 2 Ward 5.
The deliberation at the instance of the leader was fruitful and eventful as critical matters of cohesion of PDP stakeholders and supporters and the future of the party vis-Ã -vis electoral victories at the polls in the Ward and LGA were tabled for debate.
While addressing the PDP Executive Officers ,K. Lawal appreciated them as he consciously saluted their courage despite the huge challenges posed by the APC and its leadership hierarchy. He used the occasion to pledge his full loyalty and support to lift the PDP in Ondo State particularly in Owo, his LGA. According to him," I thank you for honouring my call. This is my desire for a long time now. I'm happy that there is a wind of positive change. I'm ready to support our great party with my time and resources. We must collectively make a notable different this time around. We must ensure that we open the party to accommodate new entrants that will come en-masse from other political parties. This is our party. It's all about the people. We must rebuild selflessly to rescue Nigerians." He maintained further, " We have put every grudge or grievance behind us. We had reconciled genuinely with everyone. I promise to make myself available at all time, and please be rest assured that there shall be a monolith of interests. We will not allow any unhealthy partition among ourselves.With Prince Alaba-Lad Ojomo and other stakeholders working with me in our ward ,we are sure that the expected difference pledged shall be a reality as our mobilization and support shall reach other wards."
Mr Bimbo Okoro, the Lg Financial Secretary lamented the unfortunate vacuum created by Alh. Agilagila's sabbatical but expressed optimism on the decision of the political juggernauts to assiduously work to reposition the great party. He called for unity among the leaders at all levels to ensure positive change as envisaged. He then charged Hon. K. Lawal ," Sir, please help us bring back those that are on political sojourn in other parties. Use your personality and goodwill to help us mobilize them. You can do it . We know you ,and your antecedents are there as they remain unarguable." The Ward secretary,Mr Bello Adewale called for maturity on the part of leaders in dealing with rumours and bickering as party members cannot be completely immune from gossiping which is often used to curry undue favour. Mr Dotun Ogunbodede ,the Youth of Leader Ijebu 1 Ward 4 who also was privileged to be there maintained that Kehinde's door is always open to accommodate all irrespective of status. " Sir , the journey has started. Demonstrate your strength as expectations from you are high."
However, the Treasurer ,Mr Oluwalana Segun(Ogagu) and Mrs Ibrahim Ibidun,an Ex-Officio used the occasion to emphasize the role of unity among the leaders especially in the Ward if the efforts made by the erstwhile chairman so fact is expected to bring about the desired results. To Alh. Isiaka Obanigba ( Kadara) , Alh. K. Lawal's appeal and pledge had sealed the deal. He their declared," Kehinde, we don't doubt your ability and capacity to lead us as our leader. You are a man of integrity ,few words but of action. We can rely on your availability,readiness and support to act accordingly in defence of our great party. " "With you and our leader, Hon. Alaba-Lad Ojomo and other leaders and stakeholders,we are convinced of a paradigm shift ,and we have a renewed hope of a better tomorrow and greater future." As the emeritus Presidents of Produce Merchants Association and Safuwatullahi Muslim Society coupled with your clout as an Avatar and a community leader, the coast is clearer for the PDP in the LGA particularly here in Ijebu 2 Ward 5."
The state Assistant Youth Leader ,Hon. Nasirudeen I. Boboye-Ijawoye who was former Personal Assistant to the Chairman extolled his virtues while confirming the readiness of Alh. K. Lawal to throw himself into the arena of sands,dust and sweat to make the desired change. In his word, " I know he is ready. He will humble himself as usual. He has pledged to cross all hurdles by supporting all friends and opposing all foes ; he has faced vicissitudes and he is also well informed. The past is the past . it's now a cancelled cheque. He believes and respects his leader, Hon. Alaba-Lad. I know they have resolved and reconciled as I was involved. The coast is clearer now for our party to reclaim her lost glory. There is nothing worry about" "This I can assure you", he finally stressed.
The Chairman, who is just regaining his wellness from a protracted illness was there to identify with the former Chairman whom he described as a fine democrat and compassionate leader. " I'm the happiest person today. He has honoured my call. I must be here physically in spite of my health challenge to say thank you to you,my chairman. " Finally, Prince Mumuni Ojomo pleaded, " This is a new beginning for all of us.Please ,continue to reach out to all our leaders especially Hon. Alaba-Lad Ojomo as the gap you and other stakeholders must be closed always to avoid gossips to create unnecessary crisis among us. This ward is peculiar, and unless we agree among ourselves we cannot win the APC. Please, don't renege on your promises.,"
You will recollect that shortly after the 2016 gubernatorial election and the expiration of his term in office that Alhaji Kehinde Lawal Agilagila went on political sabatical with undue pressure owing to betrayal of trust and frustration from the diatribes of Gbasibe/Konigba of PDP/LP. For his person,this was not expected then, however ,he was terribly shocked that he could be betrayed by those he previously supported and trusted to assume positions of leadership against all odds.
However,after a long walk in the community development advocacy ,he heard the clarion call of his people to service. In 2020 just before the gubernatorial primary in the state, K. Lawal as he is fondly called left his political docility to fly the kite of committed involvement. He was there at the dome during the fierce and keenly contested gubernatorial primary that thrown up Eyitayo Jegede, SAN as the PDP candidate .
Yesterday was another opportunity to engage his people to cross-pollinate ideas on grey areas for the PDP rejigging exercise in his ward to be meaningful. It's noteworthy that Ijebu 2 Ward is a unique ward in Owo and Ondo State as there are many political heavyweights across the leading political parties in Nigeria especially the PDP and APC there. In the PDP are gladiators like Prince Alaba-Lad Ojomo ,the former two-term Member, House of Representives; the former Commissioner in Ondo State Service Commission, Ch. (Mrs) Khadijat Eniolorunda among others. In the APC are the incumbent governor of the state ,HE,Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, the new Commissioner for Works, Engr Rimi Aminu and others.In Ijebu 1 Ward 4 are Dr Bode Ayorinde, another MP and Pro-Chancelor of the Achiever's University , High Ch. Yomi Ode ,the ebullient former MHA and the Owo Lg Leader: Ch. (Mrs) Funke Oloye JP, the Lg Woman Leader of the PDP and the former SA on Natural Resources, Comr. Fatai Lawal of the APC among others.
Other Executive Officers that were in attendance include the Woman Leader, Mrs Balogun Funke; Mrs Adebayo Amudat, Financial Secretary; Mrs Adepoju Toyin,Organizing Secretary; Mr Fola Ijadimboyo,Auditor , Mrs Feede Aminat,Publicity Secretary and Mr Alafenusi Monday, Legal Adviser. Others are Ex-officio like Mr Adeleke Adeniyi, Mr Awodeyi Olakunke and Mr Samuel Monday.
As it's now ,everything is set as Alhaji Kehinde Lawal Agilagila,the political workaholic and the hope of the downtrodden, for what he is, has pledged on his honour to help mobilize more members for the PDP like many other critical stakeholders.
With his resolute resolve , the APC leadership most especially will find it difficult to sleep peacefully again.
